Republicans make peace with Schwarzenegger over Kennedy?
Andy Furillo reports today in the Sacramento Bee that Governor Schwarzenegger and Duf Sundheim, the Chairman of the California Republican party met to discuss the controversy of the appointment of Patricia Kennedy, former Governor Gray Davis' aide, as his Chief of Staff. (See earlier story). After the meeting, Mr. Sundheim was quoted as saying, "I think he made it very clear that she is there to implement his policies," Sundheim said. "She's totally committed to that, and we support his decision. He has the right to pick who he feels would do the best job to implement his vision."
Great, so everything is back on track and everyone is happy and can get along again? So they say, but read between the lines and a little deeper into the story. And I quote from the Bee story:
Sundheim said the Republicans needed to work out an arrangement with Schwarzenegger for the upcoming political season to communicate with the governor without having Kennedy listening in on the strategy. He said Schwarzenegger "assured us that avenue was there today." "We were assured that we'd have the ability to communicate directly with the governor in such a manner that she would not be in the loop." Sundheim said.
Wow, how is that going to work? If you can't have complete trust in your Chief of Staff and vice versa, that's a problem. Chiefs of Staff need to be intimately involved in every move the 'boss' makes, considers making, and would like to unmake.
My suggestion? The Governor can't have it both ways and Ms. Kennedy needs to ask him if he has complete confidence in her integrity. If she doesn't get the right answer, she should quit while she's ahead.
Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive
